Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Mary Fries
1928 - 2026
BORN
1928
DIED
2026
FUNERAL HOME
UPCOMING SERVICE
Mary Fries Obituary
Feb 23, 1928 - Feb 5, 2026
Willard
Thursday, February 5, Mary Fries, 97, of Willard, went to her eternal rest. Mary was born February 23, 1928, in Norwalk, to the late Albert and Mable (Myers) Nickoli. Mary met Harold Fries at a dance and was married in September of 1948. Dancing and music would remain an important part of their life together.
Mary was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, working jigsaw puzzles and baking. Her passion was making quilts for family members, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary and Harold were avid card players, spending many evenings in a "men versus women" rivalry with the neighborhood Euchre Club or family members! Exercise and activity were an important part of her normal routine, including playing volleyball into her 70's and swimming at 90 years of age.
Mary was an active member of the Church of the Master, Ladies Federated Circle, and local neighborhood Farm Women's Club. She was devoted to helping others by offering meals or baking pies. She served as Fries Farm bookkeeper and worked outside the home at Village Pastry and Langhurst Insurance.
She is survived by her children, Sandra (Dieter) Kraft, Shirley (Adam) Fries, Sheila (Mike) Buurma, and Scott (Marilyn) Fries; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Bobbi (Dave) Featheringill; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her husband of over 74 years, Harold Fries; son, Steven Fries; infant daughter, Stacy Fries; and four siblings, Kenneth Nickoli, Ruth Perkins, Gladys Stierhoff, and Evelyn Nickoli.
Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, officiated by Pastor Dan Caudill. All services will be at Secor Funeral Home in Willard. Graveside service will immediately follow at the cemetery in Centerton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Church of the Master in Stueben.
Online condolences can be made to Mary's family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Mary Fries
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Fries
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Mary Fries's name
People and places connected with Mary
Recent Obituaries
How to support Mary's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Mary Fries's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
